Llyn Geirionydd and Llyn Crafnant from Llanrwst. 27th July 2018

The Gray mares tail waterfall.

Llanrhychwyn church.

Inside Llanrhychwyn church.

Inside Llanrhychwyn church.

The Conwy valley from Llanrhychwyn church.

The Klondyke mine from the Trfriiw - Llyn Geirionydd path.

At the bard's monument next to Llyn Geirionydd.

Llyn Geirionydd from the monument path.

An "easier" ection of the tree root challenge footpath along the West side of Llyn Geirionydd.

Posing on a delightful verdant section of the Llyn Geirionydd to Llyn Crafnant path.

At the monument next to Llyn Crafnant.

Llyn Crafnant from the monument.

In the tunnel leading to the Clogwyn y Fuwch Slate mine .

Emerging from the Clogwyn y Fuwch Slate mine tunnel.

The Clogwyn y Fuwch Slate mine.

The Klondyke mine.

A much better bridge than a wooden plank.

The dry Fairy Glen Waterfall.

Looking towards Llanrwst fro the Afon Conwy from the Gower footbridge.

Walk stats: Distance: 11.2 miles. Climb: 1891'.

Time: 6 hours 9 minutes. On the move walking avearge: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.

The forecast for today was for showers and gusts of winds up to 20 m.p.h. with the possibility of heavy thundery rain after 14-00. We did get periodic spells of gentle rain, but the strong gust didn't materialise and thankfully neither did the thunder and lightening. In fact the wettest some of us experienced was walking through head high wet bracken.

Lunch was taken just in the woods just before descending to Llyn Crafnant, kuckily in a spot that allowed us to bask in the warm sunshine.

Overall this was really good walk, varied with the added bonus of visiting Llanrhychwyn church, Clogwyn y Fuwch Slate mine and the Klondyke mine.

Apart from the tree root challenge, along which only Ed slipped, the wood plank bridge across the stream at the Klondyke Mine which only Ed crossed, this was an excellent walk. As there are much safer alternatives to both of these, this is a walk well worth repeating.

A reasonable amount of water was seen at the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall, but hardly any was seen at the Fairy Glen Waterfall.

Birds seen and heard today included: Common buzzard, Mallard, Grey heron, House martin, Woodpigeon Goosander, Common blackbird, Barn swallow, Carrion crow, Blue tit, Stonechat, Common chaffinch and Pied wagtail.

after walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn where the Lees bitter was in excellent condition. 

Back home in time to enjoy watching Liverpool beat Man U 4-1 in the International Champions Cup 2018 watched by over 100,000 spectators in the Big House the home stadium the University of Michigan  football team.

A Pentre-celyn Round 25th July 2018

Looking towards Ruthin the track North west of Moel y Waun.

Another view of the Vale of Clwyd.

Looking South towards Llandegla.

Not quite  a trig point, but the highest point of the walk at the summit cairn on Moel y Plas.

Panorama looking South and west from Moel y Plas.

Looking North along the Clwydian Hills towards Moel Fammau.

Flowering heather (Ling).

A delightful path through the middle of Coed Henblas on the way to Graigfechan.

A large caterpillar crossing the Pentre-celyn road.

Is it a Red admiral caterpillar or Oak eggar moth caterpillar?

Walk stats: 6.8 miles. Climb: 1125'.

Time: 3 hours 57 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and David S.

The forecast for today was one with plenty of Sun and rising temperatures with very little wind.

Even from the start we planned to reduce the walk a little to make sure that we had finished the walk before the hottest part of the day.

 The vies once we had reached the Offa's Dyke Path along the ridge of the Clwydian Hills was pretty good and most of the high hills from the Berwyns, Arenig, to Snowdonia and the Carneddau could all be seen.

 We made a slight detour to the top of Moel y Plas, the location of one of the two Llandegla tumulii

  As we descended from Offa's Dyke Path, our main objective was to find a suitable place to sit out of the glare of the Sun for lunch.

 We found it, a grassy bank between Plas Tyrion and Pentre-coch. As we enjoyed a rest over lunch we were entertained by lots of House sparrows, a Common buzzard directly above us ad a few horses in the paddock opposite.

 We arrived back at the car just before two p.m., having had a good walk nd sufering only one or two more nettle stings and/or bramble scratches.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common swift, Common buzzard, Bullfinch, Woodpigeon, Mallard, Raven, winter wren, Barn swallow, House sparrow, Goldfinch and Common blackbird. Buterflies seen included, Meadow brown, Speckled wood, Comma and small white.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed in the cool enivrons of the Druids In at Llanferres where a Marston's brew call 61 Pale went down nicely.

Walks and Dates July 2018

Wednesday 4th July 2018.

 Farms and Halls - the Southern Circular.

Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 450!
Start: New starting place. Jubilee Park, Car park Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch SY13 1BN. Grid ref: SJ537416. 
As we didn't like the narrow lanes leading t the Brown Moss car park, I have switched to a different car park, the Jubilee Park Car Park.
On approaching Whitchurch on the A41, at the roundabout turn right, continuing on the A41 (Whitchurch by-pass), take first road on left Chemistry/Smallbrook Road. Smallbrook Road leads into Sherrymill Hill with the Jubilee Park on the right. 
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
The walk description starts from the centre of Whitchurch, but we will start at the Brown Moss Nature Reserve as this is on the route.
This is described as a longish walk that takes in part of the revised Shropshire Way, passing plenty of interesting houses and farms, including Blackoe Cottages, Alkington Hall and Dearnford Hall.

Saturday 7th July 2018.

St. Celynnin's Church and Tal y Fan.

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb: 2600'.
Start: Roadside parking in Rowen, on the right by houses just after passing the Post Office. Grid ref:SH761719.
Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley". This walk is described as exploring the scenic upland pastures, full of antiquity, featuring a remote ancient church, Maen Penddu (standing stone), a burial chamber and Cae Bach (hill fort). Visiting Cae Bach may involve a there and back extension! Although this walk is shorter than our usual walks, Dave Berry does suggest that we should allow at least 5 hours and is for experienced walkers only!

Wednesday 11th July 2018.

Corwen to Llidiart-y-Park.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1500'.
Start: A long lay-by 1/4 mile West of Llidiart-y-Park: SJ118433.
Leave Chester at 09-00 (08-15 if we decide to use the bus to Corwen from Llidiart-y-Parc.
This is a linear walk, so we will need to have sufficient cars to leave at least one at the start, and take everyone to Corwen, the start of the walk.
 It is possible to use public transport, but that would probably mean leaving Chester at about 08-15 to make sure that we didn't miss the 09-45 bus to Corwen.
 This walk is taken from Dve berry's booklet " Walks Around the Berwyn Mountains and the Ceiriog Valley".
 The walk is described as a wlk for experienced walkers only. It features the North Berwyn Way to Moel Fferna. After following the River Dee past Llangar Church to Cynwyd, the route climbs steadily up a wooded valley and through a forest before crossing moorland to the top of Moel Fferna.  Some of the routes up Moel Fferna have not been to our liking, so it will  be interesting to explore this new route. On a good day the views from Moel Fferna can be be superb.
The descent of Moel Ferna to Llidiat-y-Parc is the most direct route, and one that we are familiar with, having followed it many times.

Saturday 14th July 2018.

To be decided.

Wednesday 18th July 2018.

Tremeirchion, Y Graig, Sodom and Moel Yr Gaer.

Distance: 9 miles; Climb:1600'.
Start: Off road parking, minor road East of Tremeirchion. Grid ref:SJ095740.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
The walk is based on two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". This is another walk that is one of my favourite walks and one that often appears on the list most years. At this time of the year it should give us the opportunity to look for Spring/Summer flowers, particularly around Y Craig Nature Reserve. We will probably visit St Beuno's chapel on the hill again. In the past it has been quite muddy in places, but hopefully not this year.

Saturday 21st July 2018.

To be decided.

Wednesday 25th July 2018.

A Pentre-celyn Round
(A part of the Clwydian Trio.)

Distance: 9 miles; Climb:1900' '.

Start: Pentre-celyn car park . Grid ref: SJ150534.

The car parking area is on the left adjacent to the sign for Pentre-celyn, just off the B5429.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This is a walk based on a  walk by Debbie Hamilton in the "Walking" magazine. This walk includes the section of Offa's Dyke Path goes near Moel y Plas, Moel Gyw, Moel Llanfair and Boncyn y Waen-grogen. Her walk starts from Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, but we will start at Pentre Celyn about half a mile beyond Graigfechan.
 In recent years we have shortened the walk by mising out the Norther section towards Moel Gyw. This reduces the walk by about 2 miles and the climb by about 800'. Although shorter it still makes a very good walk.

Saturday 28th July 2018.

Cnicht.
Postponed due to very strong winds and gust up to 40 m.p.h. the forecast.

Distance 6-7 miles. Climb: 2270'.
Start: Near quarry and Nanmor Mountain Centre. Grid ref: SH633485.
Cnicht is sometimes described as the Welsh Matterhord due to its similar shape. Cnicht lies in an area of quite rugged moorland, that in places can be quite boggy. Around Cnicht, there are no paths marked on the OS map, but thankfully they are more evident on the ground. It is a long time since I have climbed Cnicht, and even longer from the Nant Gwynnant side of the Mountain. a good walk, with some challenges as far as route finding in the offing.

Last minute change to a walk from Llanrwst suggested by Ed.

Llyn Geirionydd and Llyn Crafnant from Llanrwst.

Distance: 11 miles Climb 1900'.
Start: Llanrwst or Trefriw.
The walk involves sections of three different trails and takes in the Gray mares tail waterfall and Llanrhychwyn Church before reaching the woodland path from Trefriw to Llyn Geirionydd. This path contours high above the Crafnant Valley, giving good views of the Klondyke mill and mine below.
From  Llyn Geirionydd The route then follows unpleasant tree root challenge path on the West side of Llyn Geirionydd, but there is the much easier route is to walk along the road on the East side of the lake, one I will take if ever we do this walk again.
From Llyn Geirionydd the walk climbs through the woods, currently guided by blue footpath indicators and later red footpath and yellow footpath indicators are added to the post.
On reaching the road on the East side of Llyn Crafnant, the road is followed past the Northern end of the lake. This could be followed all the way back to Trefriw, but a pleasant Trefriw Trail footpath (7) leads directly to Trefriw. 
 An interesting diversion is to include a visit to the Clogwyn y Fuwch Slate mine and  Klondyke mill and mine and then retuning to the road. Visiting the Clogwyn y Fuwch Slate mine can if you wish involve going through a short tunnel (head torch recommended), but there is an alternative path around it.
 The route finishes by taking in the Fairy Glen falls to Trefriw and returns to Llanrwst via the 

Gowers bridge.

Tremeirchion, Cefn Ddu, Moel-y-Gaer,Y Graig and More 18th July 2018

A young Buzzard near the start of the walk.

A Yellowhammer along Offa's Dyke, heading South to Cefn Ddu.

Crossing Cefn Ddu.

Looking towards Moel Famau and the Clwydians from the South side of Moel-y-Gaer from the point where the Offa's Dyke went towards Bodfari.

Not one red blob, bu two on the path on the North side of Moel-y-Gaer.

Panorama looking towards the Vale of Clwyd from the lunch spot on Y Graig.

Rain on its way across the Vale of Clwyd.

Descending the woods on Craig Tremerchion.

There is always one!

Distant view becoming slightly clearer.

A special place for pryer in the grounds of St. Bueno's Spiritual Centre.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 1432'.

Time: 5 hours 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h. (slower than usual due to the frequent need for Ed to use my secateurs to make it possible to cross stiles).

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, David S. and Ed.

The walk started with a slight detour to see if we could spot a young buzzard that we could hear as we put our boots on. It was calling to be fed and was still there when we got back to the cars just over five hours later!

 It wasn't long before we heard a Yellowhammer, eventually seeing it s it perched on a tree in front of us.

 This was a good forecast, with only a 40% chance of rain just before lunch and feeling like about 21 Celsius so I suppose it wasn't surprising to meet other walkers on route, first on Cefn Ddu and then again as we headed towards Graig Tremerchion.

 Lunch was taken on the top of Graig Tremerchion, where two picnic benches provided sufficient seats for all. Good views as well, either towards the Vale of Clwyd, or towards Moel y Parc and the Clwydian.

 Just as we set off after lunch, we could see rain approaching across the Vale of Clwyd, but thankfully we were still in the woods when it started - and finished, giving us no need to put on waterproofs!

  Just before descending to the worst section of the route, the views started to open up a little more and parts of the hills of Snowdonia could clearly be seen. As ever, the worst section of the route was near the stream North of Graig Bach, but it was relatively easy to skirt around it, but not without getting our boots a little muddy.

 As we headed for Ysgubar, the path had been diverted slightly, making a better approach around the property and onto the road.

 As Ed had not done this walk before we decided to vist the St. Bueno's oratory that we had seen a we descended headed towards Ysgabor.

 On this occasion we decided not to visit the top of Moel Maenefa, and instead followed the Offa's Dyke Path to the road, before taking the road past Aelwyd-uchaf back to the cars.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, despite the frequent ups an downs of the route. Just 1432' of climb, but feeling like a little more than that, but we all finished with some energy to spare and looking forward to after walk refreshments at our usual hostelry.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Collared dove, Barn swallow, House martin, Yellowhammer, Black-billed magpie, Wood nuthatch, Blue tit, Winter wren, Rook, Raven and House sparrow.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter was enjoyed by some.

 A notice informed us that the Brit had won an award as Lees Pub of the Year 2018.

Corwen to Llidiart y Parc via Moel Fferna 11th July 2018

The start of the walk at the Owain Glyndwr statue in Corwen.

Looking back towards the Arrenigs as we climbed out of Cynwyd on the North Berwyn Way.

The North Berwyn Way through what was once Cynwyd Forest.

More of the Arrenigs seen after leaving the North Western side of Cynwyd Forest.

The North Berwyn Way through the North east section of Cynwyd Forest.

The way ahead across the moors from our lunch spot.

Looking East towards the Moel Fferna "massif" - our first view of the highest point of the walk.

The Berwyns from the top stile on Moel Fferna.

Roger at the summit shelter on Moel Fferna.

Martyn at the summit shelter on Moel Fferna.

Heading for Carrog Forest from Moel Fferna.

Anyone would think we were herding the pheasants!

Walk stats: Distance: 9.9 miles (10.1 miles on my newest GPS). 1484'.

Time: 5 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. (2.6 m.p.h.  on my newest GPS).

Group: Martyn and Roger.

This is the first walk on a Wednesday that is a linear walk, requiring a car to be left at Llidiart y Parc and another to transport us to the start of the walk at Corwen.

 We were hopeful that the Met Office would get their forecast right, suggesting that most of the walk would be done with clouds overhead. They were pretty accurate, although we did get a little Sun at the start and finish of the walk. At times it was quite humid, but was a little cooler with a gentle breeze when we had lunch before crossing the open moorland to the top of Moel Fferna.

 We have done several walks starting at Corwen, but today we still explore parts that we hadn't used before, particularly a path that ran almost parallel with the A5 to the Cynwyd turning. 

 Route finding was easy as the North Berwyn Way was clearly signed, although we would have appreciated additional one through the Eastern section of the Cynwyd Forest, not just one as we entered the trees and one at the end when we emerged onto a forest track.

 The only people we saw on route was a German couple holidaying in North Wales for the next two weeks. They had started at Carrog and were heading towards Cynwyd and Corwen, so it looked as though they had done the same route as us, but in reverse.

 The climb from Cynwyd to Moel Fferna is a steady one, but seemed much easier than other routes that we have done. 

  After lunch the North Berwyn Way gently climbed to Bwlch Cynwyd, before turning North east on a steep stony track to the top of Moel Fferna.

 The major surprise of the day, after the much cleared North west section of Cynwyd Forest was the path that led from the stile to the summit shelter on Moel Fferna. Usually it goes through sections of very boggy section of peat, but today everywhere was so dry the these boggy areas had dried out leaving dried peat / mud with cracks a foot deep.

 The descent from Moel Fferna was was the one that goes almost directly to the East side of Carrog Forest and onto Llidiart y Parc.

 On this section, particularly as we neared the edge of Llidiart y Parc.

  Birds seen or heard today included: Common swift, Barn swallow, Jackdaw, House sparrow, Common blackbird, Common chaffinch, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Woodpigeon, Wood nuthatch, Stonechat, Meadow pipit and Whinchat (definitely the bird of the day).

 We arrived back at the cars, having had a really good walk, but with feet screaming to be released from our walking boots.

 We decided to miss out the usual visit to the Grouse Inn at Carrog which would have been the perfect end to the walk, but instead went straight home. it had nothing to do with a certain football match scheduled to take place in Moscow later that day! However that cup of tea with a tot of whisky when I got home did taste good!